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How the Wisconsin Booster Seat Law Saves Children's Lives

Car crashes are the number one killer of children all over the United States, including the state of Wisconsin. For this reason, the state implemented the Wisconsin booster seat law in February, 2006. The state used to have a law on infant car seats, but it was discovered that this is not enough to protect older children, who have grown too large for baby seats but are still too small to benefit from adult seatbelts.

In November of 2005, AB 618, a bill sponsored by Representative Jerry Petrowski (R-86th), and an identical bill, SB 305, sponsored by Senator Carol Roessler (R-18th), were placed under consideration in the Wisconsin state legislature. The bill called for a Wisconsin booster seat law which will address the safety standards regarding vehicle restraint requirements for children at the age of four to eight.

The bill proposed a tiered structure for these requirements, according to children's age and size. The booster seat law would cover children who weigh less than 80 pounds and are less than 4 feet 9 inches tall. Children who exceed these regulations could be properly protected by regular seatbelts for adults. Naturally, the law would require the support of educational and law enforcement institutions.

Senator Roessler said that parents must be informed that "simply buckling up their children puts them at great risk." She presented that cost-wise, it would not pose a great expense for the parents: booster seats cost as little as $15, while deluxe ones with more features could go beyond $100.

Some opposed to the passing of the bill, namely senators Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn), who referred to the bill as an "enforcement nightmare," and Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), who said it might pose some trouble for parents who may be stuck at events such as carpooling, because they don't have enough booster seats to drive their children home.

But since the bill was turned into the law, enforcement agencies have embraced the rationale behind it. Casey Perry, executive director of the Wisconsin Troopers Association, said that there may be a $30 to $75 fine for parents who will not follow this law. However, he said, first offenders could be let off with a warning. Parents who can prove that they have already bought a booster seat may also have the penalty waived.

And yet, even after the passing of the Wisconsin booster seat law, some parents have seen it as overkill. But some parents also embrace it, thinking it a practical move. More than 30 states have already adopted a booster seat law: Wisconsin will not allow itself to be left behind.